MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) will be pushing for the inclusion of animal rescue during calamities in the government’s national disaster preparedness plan.
This is after the abandoned animals, such as horses, carabaos and other livestock either died or suffered severe burns following the Taal Volcano’s explosive eruption.
But even if some residents in the affected areas treat the animals as part of the family, they cannot help but leave them behind and save their families and themselves first at the height of the calamity.
The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 proscribes that cruelty, neglect, and maltreatment of animals, and that persons who are found guilty of the aforementioned will be subjected to imprisonment from six months to a maximum of two-years, and/or fine between Php30,000 and Php100,000, depending on the severity of the effect on the animal of such acts of cruelty, neglect, and maltreatment.
PAWS, however, said that they do not consider what happened to the animals on the Taal Volcano Island as abandonment as it happened during a calamity.
Anna Cabrera, PAWS executive director, said they recognized that it all happened so fast and it was imperative that residents be evacuated first.
“We try to be more understanding in this situation and maglabas tayo ng mga advisory na in the event of an emergency your pets should be part of the preparedness program para hindi ka pwersado may plano ka rin. Hindi talaga kung kapag may nangyari hindi tayo makapag evacuate ng animals,” Cabrera added.
For now, PAWS and other non-governmental organizations are focusing on rescuing the animals that were still in the areas affected by the ashfall.
They are also coordinating with the local governments in identifying evacuation centers for animals.
“As much as possible, dalhin natin. But we have just understand na in this situation hindi sila pinayagan to take animals into the evacuation centers so we are trying to negotiate that with the local government here,” Cabrera said. — (from the report of Joan Nano) /mbmf
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